Agile software development process and results

ABSTRACT

A method for agile software development comprises receiving by a VM a command by a first version of a software component running on a first virtual machine, wherein the command may be executed by the software component, passing the command to a hypervisor along with an output file including a functionality identifier corresponding to the command and identifiers for versions of the software component to which the command is applicable, and transferring the command to a second VM for an execution of the functionality if the identifier of the second version of the software component was included in the output file. Additionally, the method may include sending a freeze command by the hypervisor to the second virtual machine if the identifier of the second version of the software component is not included in the output file.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to a method for agile softwaredevelopment. The disclosure relates further to a system for agilesoftware development, a computing system, a data processing program, anda computer program product.

The main idea behind agile software development may be to divide thedevelopment process into short iterations and be able to demonstrateintermediate results to end users right after each of the softwaredevelopment iteration steps. Having received the feedback of the users,the development process for a software component may continue, bemodified or, may be dropped completely. Although such an approach seemsto be a perfect solution, it may cause some problems and also entailchallenges which mainly occur because people involved in the softwaredevelopment may be too busy and suffer from constant lack of time.Therefore, they do not have enough time to read related documentation orkeep track of all amendments introduced to the software being developed.In addition, their expectations in regards to the newly developedsoftware components are typically very high: have everything servedsimple and be able to test/try it out without any additional effort. Dueat least in part to its flexibility, it offers many benefits to softwareproviders as well as to the users, who wait on use a new softwareproduct to use.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a method, system, and computerprogram product for agile software development, according to variousembodiments.

According to one aspect, a method for agile software development may beprovided. The method for agile software development may comprisereceiving a command by a first version of a software component runningon a first virtual machine. The command may be received via the firstvirtual machine and may be executed by the first version of the softwarecomponent. The method may further comprise passing the command from thefirst virtual machine to a hypervisor along with an output filecomprising a functionality identifier corresponding to the command andidentifiers for versions of the software component to which the commandmay be applicable. Additionally, the method may comprise transferringthe command by the hypervisor to a second virtual machine for anexecution of the functionality corresponding to the command by a secondversion of the software component if the identifier of the secondversion of the software component was comprised in the output file. Themethod may also comprise sending a freeze command by the hypervisor tothe second virtual machine if the identifier of the second version ofthe software component is not comprised in the output file.

According to another aspect, a system for agile software development maybe provided. The system may comprise a receiving unit adapted forreceiving a command to a first version of a software component runningon a first virtual machine. The command may be receivable via the firstvirtual machine and executable by the first version of the softwarecomponent. The system may also comprise a passing unit adapted forpassing the command from the first virtual machine to a hypervisor alongwith an output file comprising a functionality identifier correspondingto the command and identifiers for versions of the software component towhich the command may be applicable. And, the system may comprise atransferring unit adapted for sending the command by the hypervisor to asecond virtual machine for an execution of the functionalitycorresponding to the command by a second version of the softwarecomponent if the identifier of the second version of the softwarecomponent was comprised in the output file. Moreover, the system maycomprise a freezing unit adapted for sending a freeze command by thehypervisor to the second virtual machine if the identifier of the secondversion of the software component may not be comprised in the outputfile.

It may be noted that a user may enter the command to the first versionof a software component via user interface, both running in a virtualmachine.

It may be noted that the second version of the software component may beexecuted in/on the second virtual machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for agiledevelopment.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of several componentsinvolved in the method.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an interaction with an earlier versionof the software component, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a changed user interface belonging to afuture version of the software, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a system for agile software development,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a computing system comprising the systemfor agile software development.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It may also be noted that the command may be received from a user, inparticular via a user input.

It may also be understood that a software component may be understood assoftware under development having source code or code components, e.g.,lines of code, and a corresponding executable image.

In the context of this description, the following conventions, termsand/or expressions may be used:

The term “software development”, in particular “agile softwaredevelopment”, may denote a group of software development methods andprocedures in which requirements and solutions evolve through acollaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams ofsoftware developers, testers and users. It promotes adaptive planning,evolutionary development, early delivery, continuous improvement andencourages rapid and flexible response to change. It is a conceptualframework that focuses on delivering working software with the minimumamount of work. The Agile Manifesto, which first laid out the underlyingconcepts of agile development, introduced the term in 2001. The manifestwas revised in 2010. The software development process may be supportedusing a software development tool or software development environment.

The term “command” may denote a user input to a software component. Thecommand may be an entered string or a click of a pointing device, e.g.,a computer mouse. Commands may also be entered or received using otherinput devices such as microphones using voice recognition, trackballs orthe like.

The term “first version”—in particular a first version of a softwarecomponent—may denote a first iteration of a software component.Typically, software components are developed in different iterationsteps, each having different stages of maturity of available featuresand/or functions. A first version may differentiate on features and/orfunctions from a second version of a software component. Althoughfeatures may be different, the software component may still be the samehaving more—or less—a slightly different source code line.

The term “software component” may denote a function on a computerimplemented as a software program, program functions or subroutine. Thesoftware component may be implemented in the form of a source code whichmay be compiled or interpreted. The software component may be related toa single feature/function, a group of features/functions or it may be acomplete software application comprising a plurality offeatures/functions. The software component may be executed as astand-alone component or as part of a larger framework.

The term “virtual machine” may denote an emulation of a particularcomputer system. A virtual machine—or, in short “VM”—may be operatedbased on the computer architecture and functions of a real orhypothetical computer. Their implementations may involve specializedhardware, software, or a combination of both. Classification of virtualmachines may be based on the degree to which they implementfunctionality of targeted real machines. That way, system virtualmachines (also known as full virtualization VMs) provide a completesubstitute for the targeted real machine and a level of functionalityrequired for the execution of a complete operating system. On the otherhand, process virtual machines are designed to execute a single computerprogram by providing an abstracted and platform-independent programexecution environment. In the context of this disclosure, it does notmatter which kind of virtual machine may be used.

The term “hypervisor”—also known as virtual machine monitor (VMM)—maydenote a piece of computer software, firmware or hardware that maycreate and run virtual machines. A computer on which a hypervisor isrunning one or more virtual machines is defined as a host machine. Eachvirtual machine may be called a guest machine. The hypervisor presentsthe guest operating systems with a virtual operating platform and maymanage the execution of the guest operating systems. Multiple instancesof a variety of operating systems may share the virtualized hardwareresources. Software components may be executed under the control of aguest operating system on a hypervisor. The first software component andthe second software component may be executed using different instanceof VMs.

The term “functionality identifier” may denote a tag indicating aspecific functionality of a software component. There may be aone-to-one relationship between a specific functionality and a relatedfunctionality identifier. A functionality may also be denoted as featureof function of a software component.

The term “freeze command” may denote a signal instructing a virtualmachine to stop execution under the control of a hypervisor.Consequently, if the execution of the virtual machine stops softwareelements, i.e., software components, running on the virtual machine mayalso stop execution.

The term “user facing element” may denote a fragment of a user interfaceof a software component which may be rendered on a display for aninteraction with a user or an input device operated by the user. Theuser facing element may be, e.g., one or more input fields, renderedcontent, check-boxes for selection, radio buttons, or any otherinteractive element.

The term “agile development library” may denote a repository comprisingdifferent elements of a software development process. This may compriseinformation about a specific version of a developed software component,related source code of the software component, input and outputparameters, requirements to operating environments like virtualmachines, and specifications or other operating parameters, e.g.,required libraries, etc. The agile development library may also compriseidentifiers for specific functions of specific software components.Those functional identifiers may for example indicate the compatibilityor applicability of a specific function to a specific version of asoftware component. Such functionality identifiers may be understood asa processing reference between functions, features and related softwarecomponents and their versions. Also, the output file may be comprised inthe agile development library. The agile development library may beunderstood as a repository underlying a software development tool foragile software development.

Users typically face a series of challenges in agile developmentprograms. Users or testers should work with the latest version only ormaintain multiple environments—each for a specific version. The firstapproach requires very strict timing from users to provide accuratefeedback and there is no chance to have insights into the past versions.The second approach is quite difficult to handle and very irritating touse because it may require a navigating back and forth between differentcomputing environments.

Users testing the latest release may have difficulties in recognizingwhat has been introduced since the last version of a software componentor between particular versions, which may make it complicated to focusonly on the modifications and also to track the progress.

Users who are able to test the newest version of a software componentmay not be able to see the previous versions for comparison, to be ableto better judge which version may be better, especially when aparticular feature was deeply refactored or some parallel solutions wereintroduced.

There are several disclosures relating to a method for agile softwaredevelopment.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,113 B2 discloses a method of synchronizing aplurality of software development teams. Each team is working on asubset of a code development project. A repository comprising a codebase of the code development project is provided in each team's assignedsubset and is correlated with every other team's assigned subset withinthe code development project.

Document US 2014/0115557 A1 discloses a computer-implemented method ofmanaging work items associated with agile software development. Themethod includes displaying the first group of incomplete work itemsassociated with the current iteration of an agile software developmentproject. In response to a first user input, a first incomplete work itemof the first group is transferred from the current iteration to asubsequent iteration on the agile software development project.

However, there may be a need to further enhance the ability of users tointeract with software developers and different versions of developedsoftware components. Software developers and users may have a need towork side-by-side comparing and testing different versions of developedsoftware components.

The proposed method for agile software development may offer a couple ofadvantages:

Firstly, software developers, testers and users may get better insightinto different versions of developed software components. The differentversions of the software component having different functions/featuresmay be displayed on a computer screen for direct interaction by asoftware developer. In parallel, a specific version of a softwarecomponent may be selected interactively and a user facing element—e.g.,a part of the user interface of the software component—may also bedisplayed. Thus, the user may interactively experience differentimplementations of features and functions within a software componentwhile, at the same time, a software developer may see the related sourcecode lines on the same screen in a different window; also two differentdisplays may be used. This may allow a much more interactive developmentprocess, involving a software developer and a user at the same time.This may result in time savings in the development process and bettercode quality.

Software developers and users may select user facing elements ofdifferent versions of the software component and try different relatedfunctionalities. Hence, the method may allow for an easy depiction ofdifferences between several versions of the same software component,i.e., agile iteration final outputs. The method may increasetransparency in the software development process and may allow users tonavigate between the environments (VMs) of different software componentstransparently upon request.

The implementation based on the agile software development library mayallow interpreting static tags in the source code of the softwarecomponents—which may be added to the source code by softwaredevelopers—and may perform particular actions based on them, inparticular notify users about changes in functionality of softwarecomponents.

In one embodiment, users may vote for different additionalfunctionalities for a specific software component. Such an additionalfeature of the software development environment may be implemented usingthe agile development library.

In a further embodiment of the method, users may also receiveindications if a new function may have been implemented as part of thesoftware component. The necessary data for such an active informationcomponent—e.g., a user identifier, a software component identifier and afeature identifier—may also be stored in the agile development library.

According to one embodiment of the method, each version of the softwarecomponent may be deployed on a separate virtual machine. This may allowthat more than just the first and second version of the softwarecomponent may be deployed. A plurality of similar software componentswith comparable functionality within different versions may run inparallel on two different virtual machines. This way, it may be possibleto switch between the different software components running on therelated virtual machines and compare and/or test their respectivefunctionality. Different versions of the software component may notinfluence each other because they are running on different virtualmachines.

According to a further embodiment of the method, source codecomponents—in particular lines of code—of the different versions of thesoftware component may be rendered in parallel on a display, inparticular in different display windows or on different screens. Thus, aside-by-side test of the difference of the components may be performedwhile the software components may not influence each other.

According to a further enhanced embodiment of the method, a user facingelement—in particular one or more elements of a userinterface—corresponding to a selected version of the software may alsobe rendered in parallel—in particular, in parallel to the source codecomponents of the different versions of the software component on thedisplay. It may also be possible that user facing elements of differentsoftware components—in particular different versions of the samecomponent—may be rendered on a computer display in parallel.

In one embodiment of the method, an agile development library maycomprise at least the source code of the first and second version of thesoftware component, the output file, and configuration settings of thefirst and the second virtual machine. This way, relevant developmentparameters, components and software environment information may becombined in one central place. For a software development environmentsuch an agile development library may be instrumental to fulfillrequests of developers, testers and end-users. The agile developmentlibrary may also comprise information about features and/or functions ofthe software component planned for future versions.

According to a further enhanced embodiment, an implementation of themethod may also comprise generating a signal—in particular a signal to auser of a current version of a software component—if a new version ofthe software component may be available for test. A runtime component ofa related software development environment may notify a user about theavailability of the new version if the user—e.g., a test user—mayactually use the current version of the software component.

Additionally, one embodiment of the method may comprise that during anexecution of a version of the software component—in particular acurrent, actual or regular production version of the softwarecomponent—may generate a signal—resulting in a notification and/or inform of a displayed message to a user—indicating planned new features offuture versions of the software component. It may be one or a pluralityof different features. Also information about the new and/or changedfunctions may be displayed to the user on demand.

An even more enhanced embodiment of the method may also comprisereceiving a preference signal—in particular a voting of a user—for atleast one feature out of the planned features. This may allow aprioritization of planned additional features of future functions andfeatures of the software component. Input of the user community of thedeveloped software components may influence the software developmentprocess directly.

According to a more sophisticated embodiment method, an on-demandtransition—in particular triggered by a user, based on a signal—e.g., bya click of a computer mouse—to a future version of the softwarecomponent may be provided. The transition may also be performed to arelated complete application of the software component, if a new testversion of the related software component may be available for test.This may involve a transition from one virtual machine running oneversion of the software component to another virtual machine runninganother version of the software component.

Accordingly, in a more advanced embodiment of the method, an alert to asource of the preference signal—in particular the voting of a user for aspecific feature—may be generated for a planned feature if the featureout of the planned features may be implemented in a future version ofthe software component. The source of the preference signal may be theuser or his representation in the computer system having voted for thisfeature. Such an alert may be used to notify the user having voted forthe feature that the feature may have been implemented. The user maythen decide to test the new version by transitioning to the new softwarecomponent or application on a different VM. Also a textual descriptionof the function may be displayable on demand of the user.

Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a computer programproduct, accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use, by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. For the purpose of this description, acomputer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any apparatus thatmay contain means for storing, communicating, propagating ortransporting the program for use, by or in a connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The medium may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared or a semi-conductor system for a propagation medium. Examplesof a computer-readable medium may include a semi-conductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk andan optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compactdisk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), DVDand Blu-Ray-Disk.

It should also be noted that embodiments have been described withreference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodimentshave been described with reference to method type claims whereas otherembodiments have been described with reference to apparatus type claims.However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and thefollowing description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition toany combination of features belonging to one type of subject-matter,also any combination between features relating to differentsubject-matters, in particular, between features of the method typeclaims, and features of the apparatus type claims, is considered as tobe disclosed within this document.

The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present disclosureare apparent from the examples of embodiments to be describedhereinafter and are explained with reference to the examples ofembodiments, but to which the invention is not limited.

In the following, a detailed description of the figures will be given.All instructions in the figures are schematic. Firstly, a block diagramof an embodiment of the disclosed method for agile software developmentis given. Afterwards, further embodiments of the system for agilesoftware development will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for agilesoftware development. The method 100 may comprise receiving, 102, acommand to a first version of a software component running on a firstvirtual machine, wherein the command may be received via the firstvirtual machine, e.g., via I/O routines of the VM, and may be executedby the first software component. The method 100 may also comprisepassing, 104, the command from the first virtual machine to a hypervisoralong with an output file comprising a functionality identifiercorresponding to the command and identifiers for versions of thesoftware component to which the command is applicable, in particularcompatible. The method may also comprise transferring, 106, the commandby the hypervisor to a second virtual machine for an execution of thefunctionality corresponding to the command by a second version of thesoftware component if the identifier of the second version of thesoftware component was comprised in the output file.

Finally, the method may comprise sending, 108, a freeze command by thehypervisor to the second virtual machine—and thus to the second versionof the software component—if the identifier of the second version of thesoftware component is not comprised in the output file.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of several componentsinvolved in the method. A hypervisor 202 may allow deploying, e.g.,three different versions 204, 206, 208 of a software component. Thereference numerals 204, 206, 208 may show how the different applicationor software component source code—in particular version 1.1, version 1.2and version 1.3—of the software component may look like and how theirsource code may have evolved over time. A component of the hypervisor202 may manage all software component versions selectable forcomparison. A user may select which version he wants to see. Thus, notall available versions may have to be rendered on a computer screen.Less or more than three versions—as in the current example—may beavailable.

Version 1.3 having reference numeral 208, may be selected. Acorresponding user facing element 212, i.e., user interface, may also bedisplayed. The different versions of the software component 204, 206,208 may be displayed on the same computer screen 612. Alternatively, thesource code of the different versions of the software component 204,206, 208 and the related user interface elements 212 may be displayed onseparate computer screens.

If the user wishes to follow the history of changes to the functionalityof the source code, the agile development library 210 connects with ahypervisor and after checking available versions and functionidentifiers the user may have permission to navigate to previousreleases and its functionalities available in a different version of theuser interface 210. The agile development library may collect and storedetails about the changes to the software component over time, startingwith the first version, were the given functionality was present,consecutive changes like milestone, as well as minor changes, reasonsfor the changes as well as the requestor, the creator of the change, andso on. This may allow a user as well as a tester to understand thereason behind the changes and compare modification across all availableversions starting from the point were given features were introduced.Examples of modification tags are shown in the form of symbols 204, 206,208: “added in 1.1”, added in 1.2”, etc. V1.3 may be regarded as thecurrent production version of the software component. Thus, V1.1 andV1.2 may be earlier released or versions of the software component.

The agile development library interfaces to both, the user interface212, as well as to the hypervisor 202 as indicated by the two verticaldouble arrows.

The user may also receive indications about the new version, like on themessage window 222. He may also be given the option to display moreinformation about the new UI (user interface) component 220. Suchinformation may also be comprised in the agile development library 210.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an interaction with an earlier versionof the software component, here V1.1 or V1.2. The reference numeralscorrespond to FIG. 2. Here, the user may have chosen to see thefunctionality of version 1.2, 206. The user interface 212 does no longershow the button 220, but only button 216 and 218 in addition to anexemplary output field 214.

Additionally, a user may decide to render two (or more) applicationversions in parallel, e.g., V.1.2 and V1.3 in different windows of auser interface. This may allow a user to visually recognize differentresponse times of different algorithms in the different versions of thesoftware component, e.g., a sorting algorithm underlying relatedversions of source code.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a changed UI 212 belonging to a futureversion of the software component 208. Assuming that a user/tester isworking with the actual production version 1.3, 208 of the softwarecomponent, he may be notified that a new function may be available forthe software component. Such a new function may be shown as new outputbox 402. An additional pop-up message 404 may instruct the user that anew functionality has been added to the UI 212. He may also request moreinformation about the new function to be displayed (not shown). It mayalso be noted that the arrangement of input fields 216, 218, 220 and theoutput field 212 in the UI 212 may have been modified.

The user may also be informed by a message 406 that button 218 or itsappearance may be changed in a future version, e.g. version 1.4 orlater, of the software component. However, such a function may not yetbe available for testing.

Additionally, the user may request more information about the futurechanged and additional functionality related to button 218. There may bemore planned changes for other UI or user facing elements. The user maythen switch to an option menu being able to vote for one or the otherplanned future feature.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a system 500 for agile softwaredevelopment. The system 500 may comprise an entering unit 502 adaptedfor entering a command to a first version of a software componentrunning on a first virtual machine, in particular running on ahypervisor (not shown), which in turn may be executed on a physicalhardware (not shown).

The command is receivable via the first virtual machine, in particularvia input/output routines of the VM and the command may be executable bythe software component.

The system may further comprise a transferring unit 504 adapted forpassing the command from the first virtual machine to a hypervisor alongwith an output file comprising a functionality identifier correspondingto the command and identifiers for versions of the software component towhich the command is applicable or compatible with.

A sending unit 506 is adapted for sending the command by the hypervisorto a second virtual machine for an execution of the functionalitycorresponding to the command by a second version of the softwarecomponent if the identifier of the second version of the softwarecomponent was comprised in the output file.

A freezing unit 508 is adapted for sending a freeze command by thehypervisor to the second virtual machine if the identifier of the secondversion of the software component is not comprised in the output file.This may ensure that incompatible functions and versions of the softwarecomponent may not be executed together.

It may be noted that the proposed solution may be based either on asingle environment or on a set of virtualized environments managed by ahypervisor. The elements of the solutions comprise the following:

A code layer may comprise a tagging mechanism of functions, procedures,commands, visual elements, and so on. This way, it may be always knownwhich part of the software component has been created/modified in whichiteration based on the duration tags. These iteration tags represent themost granular element of the solution and may be integrated into thesource code of the software component of the development.

In a presentation layer a user may choose which version of software themethod/system for agile software development should treat as a baseversion; all elements developed prior to the base version may bepresented accordingly to a chosen graphical scheme, e.g., greyed out,blinking, in a different—e.g., smaller—font size, in a different colorscheme using different font style, commented, and so on.

Depending on the approach, the user may get informed about the historyof certain functionality of the software component and he may have theability to view the previous implementations.

Using an infrastructure layer, the system may communicate with thehypervisor and may perform actions of all environments in parallel (ifapplicable and in-line with the output file comprising the functionalityidentifier). Based on the software development library, the softwarecode may be interpreted and changes to the development environment arecontrolled upon request of the user.

Embodiments may be implemented together with virtually any type ofcomputer, regardless of the platform being suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a computingsystem 600 may include one or more processor(s) 602 with one or morecores per processor, associated memory elements 604, an internal storagedevice 606 (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive, such as a compact diskdrive or digital video disk (DVD) drive, a flash memory stick, asolid-state disk, etc.), and numerous other elements andfunctionalities, typical of today's computers (not shown). The memoryelements 604 may include a main memory, e.g., a random access memory(RAM), employed during actual execution of the program code, and a cachememory, which may provide temporary storage of at least some programcode and/or data in order to reduce the number of times, code and/ordata must be retrieved from a long-term storage medium or external bulkstorage 616 for an execution. Elements inside the computer 600 may belinked together by means of a bus system 618 with correspondingadapters. Additionally, the system 500 for agile software developmentmay be attached to the bus system 618.

The computing system 600 may also include input means such as a keyboard608, a pointing device such as a mouse 610, or a microphone (not shown).Alternatively, the computing system may be equipped with a touchsensitive screen as main input device. Furthermore, the computer 600,may include output means such as a monitor or screen 612 [e.g., a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a light emitting diode display(LED), or cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor]. The computer system 600 maybe connected to a network [e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN)], such as the Internet or any other similar type ofnetwork, including wireless networks via a network interface connection614. This may allow a coupling to other computer systems, or a storagenetwork, or a tape drive. Those, skilled in the art will appreciate thatmany different types of computer systems exist, and the aforementionedinput and output means may take other forms. Generally speaking, thecomputer system 600 may include at least the minimal processing, inputand/or output means, necessary to practice various embodiments.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised, whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention, as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims. Also, elements described in association with differentembodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that referencesigns in the claims should not be construed as limiting elements.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store, a programfor use, by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that may communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that may direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions, whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions, which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus, provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram, block, or blocks.

The block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems,methods and computer program products, according to various embodiments.In this regard, each block in the block diagrams may represent a module,segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). Itshould also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions, discussed hereinabove, may occur out of the disclosed order.For example, two functions taught in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the functions may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order depending upon the functionality involved.It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams, may be implemented byspecial purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will further be understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material, or act for performing the functionin combination with other claimed elements, as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skills in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skills in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications, as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A system, comprising: an entering unit adapted forentering a command to a first version of a software component running ona first virtual machine, wherein the command is receivable via the firstvirtual machine and executable by the software component, a transferringunit adapted for passing the command from the first virtual machine to ahypervisor along with an output file comprising a functionalityidentifier corresponding to the command and identifiers for versions ofthe software component to which the command is applicable, a sendingunit adapted for sending the command by the hypervisor to a secondvirtual machine for an execution of the functionality corresponding tothe command by a second version of the software component if theidentifier of the second version of the software component was comprisedin the output file, and a freezing unit adapted for sending a freezecommand by the hypervisor to the second virtual machine if theidentifier of the second version of the software component is notcomprised in the output file.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein eachversion of the software component is deployed on a separate virtualmachine.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the different versions ofthe software component contain source code components, and wherein thesource code components are rendered in parallel on a display.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein a user-facing element corresponding to aselected version of the software component is also rendered in parallelon the display.
 15. The system of claim 11, further comprising: duringan execution of a version of the software component, generating a signalindicating planned features of future versions of the softwarecomponent, receiving a preference signal for at least one feature out ofthe planned features, and generating an alert to a source of thepreference signal for a planned feature if the feature out of theplanned features is implemented in a future version of the softwarecomponent.
 16. A computer program product for processing data, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program code embodied therewith, the program code comprisingcomputer readable program code configured to: receive a command by afirst version of a software component running on a first virtualmachine, wherein the command is received via the first virtual machineand executed by the first version of the software component, pass thecommand from the first virtual machine to a hypervisor along with anoutput file comprising a functionality identifier corresponding to thecommand and identifiers for versions of the software component to whichthe command is applicable, transfer the command by the hypervisor to asecond virtual machine for an execution of the functionalitycorresponding to the command by a second version of the softwarecomponent if the identifier of the second version of the softwarecomponent was comprised in the output file, and send a freeze command bythe hypervisor to the second virtual machine if the identifier of thesecond version of the software component is not comprised in the outputfile.
 17. The program product of claim 16, wherein each version of thesoftware component is deployed on a separate virtual machine.
 18. Theprogram product of claim 16, wherein the different versions of thesoftware component contain source code components, and wherein thesource code components are rendered in parallel on a display.
 19. Theprogram product of claim 18, wherein a user-facing element correspondingto a selected version of the software component is also rendered inparallel on the display.
 20. The program product of claim 16, whereinthe program code comprising computer readable program code is furtherconfigured to: during an execution of a version of the softwarecomponent, generate a signal indicating planned features of futureversions of the software component, receive a preference signal for atleast one feature out of the planned features, and generate an alert toa source of the preference signal for a planned feature if the featureout of the planned features is implemented in a future version of thesoftware component.